Tributes have poured into the Chronicle from right across the political and social spectrum following the death at the age of 77 of veteran Crewe and Nantwich Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody. Here is what some of them say:

Peter Kent, former leader of Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council (Labour): “I knew Gwyneth pretty well from the time she first came to Crewe. She came without any previous connections although she had established herself in Parliament and you might have been forgiven for saying here was somebody who was looking for a seat. But she connected with the area very quickly and impressed people.

“We got on very well and, looking back, you realise she was a formidable parliamentarian and how privileged we were to have somebody like that for Crewe and Nantwich.

She was extremely well respected and she put Crewe and Nantwich on the map and wherever I go there are always two things people talk about, Crewe Alex or Gwyneth Dunwoody.

“There’s not many people who could play a major national role like the chairman of the transport committee and really connect with members of their constituency but Gwyneth did. She really addressed our problems. I have been mulling over in my mind how you would sum her up: she was formidable, a champion for her constituency and a great parliamentarian.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown: “She was always her own person. She was fiercely independent. She was politics at its best – a great parliamentarian.”

Steve Hogben, Labour Group Leader on Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council: “Crewe and Nantwich has lost probably its strongest, greatest friend and champion. Gwyneth Dunwoody was completely committed to the area and the people.

“She was utterly, utterly committed to the core principle of old-fashioned socialism. It was her belief and work at grass roots level that led to her popularity and to her being unanimously re-selected for the next General Election.

“She was a very strong constituency MP before it became fashionable. Gwyneth introduced the revolutionary idea of holding surgeries for her constituents.

“For the people of Crewe and Nantwich, especially of Crewe, this is the end of an era. Since the Second World War there’s been just two MPs in Crewe and for the last 34 years that’s been Gwyneth. This is the end of an era and the beginning of a legend.”

Stephen O’Brien, Eddisbury MP and Conservative Shadow Minister for Health: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gwyneth Dunwoody. She was a great Parliamentarian who was respected and admired by politicians from across the political spectrum for her courage and political beliefs. She was also, despite our political differences, a good personal friend.

“We worked closely together on many local issues that rose above the fray of party politics for our respective constituents in the Crewe and Nantwich area, not least our opposition to this Labour Government’s splitting of the county of Cheshire in two.

“The commitment she gave to her constituents, as well as her defiance and willingness to stand up to the establishment was truly admirable. Her passing is a great loss to the House of Commons and Cheshire. I, and many, will miss her greatly.”

Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary (below): “She was a lovely lady who very much kept us on our toes and was challenging in making sure the interest of her constituents were safeguarded.

“Cheshire will be a duller place without her.”

British Transport Police Chief Constable Ian Johnston: “Mrs Dunwoody was the long- serving chairman of the Commons Transport Select Committee as well as being MP for the railway town of Crewe since 1974. She was a formidable and committed politician who wanted to, and did, make a difference to people’s lives.

“In her work she had many dealings with BTP and was a great supporter of our mission. She was forthright and challenging and through her passionate and informed guidance BTP is a better organisation today.”

Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich, Maurice Jones: “Mrs Dunwoody was a great champion of the borough and of the North West. She brought energy, passion and real political power to representing all the people in the borough.

“We are all the poorer for her passing.”

Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party chairman Tom Dunlop: “Crewe and Nantwich was the centre of the universe to Gwyneth. At my last meeting with her we were discussing her next election and laying the foundations for that. She was a fantastic lady and I really can’t praise her enough.”

Dennis Dunn, Dean of MMU Cheshire: “Gwyneth Dunwoody’s passing is a moment of great sadness for Crewe and the wider region.

“She was a brilliant partner who fully supported the best in education in our region and engaged wholeheartedly in improving opportunity and quality of life for all. Her commitment and passion to the on-going regeneration of Crewe was astonishing.

“Gwyneth was a wonderful woman who will be sadly missed.”

David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party (right): “ Gwyneth Dunwoody was courageous in her political beliefs and an inspiration to many. Her defiance and willingness to stand up to the establishment was truly admirable.”

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council leader Brian Silvester (Conservative): “She was a doughty fighter for her constituents and a formidable campaigner, as I found out when I stood against her in 1992.

“She was a well-known figure nationally and influential within the Labour Party and with the Government. When she spoke about local concerns and issues people listened in the corridors of power.

“She was never afraid to put forward views that were different to the party or Government line, if she thought it was right to do so.”

Gwyn Griffiths, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group of Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council: “I first met Mrs Dunwoody in 1974, and in 1992 contested the general election against her. Although we had different political views I always found her easy to work with, and very committed to her cause.

“Her independence of views, and straight-talking manner, didn’t always endear her to the party bosses but marked her out as a special type of politician.”

Chief executive of South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, John Dunning: “Gwyneth was a tremendous advocate for local business and a close ally of the Chamber.

“Her contribution to the local economy has been invaluable and she has been a stalwart in supporting the interests of businesses and in particular the local railway industry.

This is the end of an era and Gwyneth will be sadly missed.”

Brian Simpson, Labour MEP for North West England: “Gwyneth’s sad death means that the world of politics and the Borough of Crewe & Nantwich has lost a great friend and campaigner. Not only was Gwyneth an expert in both politics and transport, but she was a first-rate MP who always put the people of her constituency at the top of her agenda.

“I’ve watched her on parliamentary debates on TV, the last one being the splitting up of Cheshire and she really walloped it to the Government.

“I shall always remember her as a first-class MP. She was always on the ball and dealt with problems right away. She has done a great service to Nantwich and the whole of her constituency and we shall all miss her.”

Keith Norman, general secretary of train drivers’ union ASLEF: “Gwyneth Dunwoody was a great friend of the union, a first-class representative for her constituents and someone with a genuine commitment to public transport.

“She was a larger-than-life figure, a massive presence. If Gwyneth was in the room, you knew it! We were proud to have Gwyneth as a member of ASLEF’s parliamentary group. She was a marvellous spokesperson not only for ASLEF, but for everyone in the rail industry.

“As the chair of the House of Commons Transport Committee she never shied away from holding the government to account if she thought they were wrong. She was ferociously independent.

Gwyneth was ‘born in the Labour Party’. Her father Morgan Phillips was General Secretary of the Labour Party and her mother, Norah Phillips, was a life peer. Both her grandmothers were suffragettes.

“The House of Commons has lost one of its finest Parliamentarians and the rail unions one of our closest allies. She was always ready to fight ASLEF’s corner and to represent the voice of train drivers.”

David Williams, political officer for Usdaw: “Gwyneth was a true champion of working people and an advocate of commonsense politics. We have over the years been very grateful for her tireless work to support our members on issues like Sunday trading, protect Christmas Day and preventing violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers. Gwyneth always stood up for women workers and Usdaw’s members appreciated her support.

“As Gwyneth’s former agent, I know that Crewe and Nantwich was proud of their MP. Gwyneth pioneered constituency representation with initiatives like advice surgeries and a full-time staffed office; things that seem commonplace now, but were rare back in 1974. To say that Gwyneth was feisty is something of an understatement, but she was always motivated by getting the best deal for the people she represented.”

Keith Heller, chief executive of rail freight operator EWS: “Mrs Dunwoody was an outstanding Member of Parliament. As Chair of the Transport Select Committee she made a major contribution to the development of this sector. Her questioning of those accountable helped to improve every mode of transport, particularly rail.

“Her talent was to ask the questions to which the public wanted answers. This made her a leading Parliamentarian. She was a friend of the railway industry, a great supporter of rail freight and everybody respected her.”

Edward Timpson, Conservative candidate for Crewe and Nantwich who was due to oppose Mrs Dunwoody in the next general election: “Gwyneth was always warm and courteous in her dealings with me. She commanded huge respect and stood firm for what she believed in. ”